Suspect arrested in Columbia County stabbing

Police arrested a Hephzibah man Thursday night in connection to a Wednesday stabbing at a Columbia County park.

Jesse Ray Kenneth Burnett, 20, of Pyes Court, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime.

Police say that Mr. Burnett and another man started fighting at Riverside Park off Hardy McManus Road at about 11:30 p.m. When William Chad Drummond, 20, tried to break up the fight, Mr. Burnett stabbed Mr. Drummond in the forearm, according to Columbia County sheriffs Capt. Steve Morris.

Mr. Drummond, of Appling, defended himself by punching Mr. Burnett. Then Mr. Burnett stabbed him in the upper torso. Mr. Drummond, who police found at the scene bleeding profusely, was transported to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries, Capt. Morris said.

Mr. Burnett left the park in a white Ford truck. A witness followed the truck and got the tag number.

Police arrested Mr. Burnett at his home just after 9 p.m. He is being held in the Columbia County Detention Center without bond, according to jail personnel.